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Our Surroundings 



seeds or the fruits of various tropical plants; cloves and capers 

 from flower buds. Cinnamon comes from the bark of a tree, 

 and ginger from a root. The leaves of parsley, fennel, spearmint, 

 thyme and sage are also used as seasonings. 



Oil-producing Plants. The most important oil-producing 

 plants are the olive tree, from the ripe fruit of which olive oil is 

 extracted ; the flax plant, which gives us linseed oil, largely used 



i t in paints and varnishes ; and the 



castor oil plant, which gives us 

 castor oil. Other plants from 

 parts of which oil is obtained are 

 corn, cotton, vanilla, wintergreen 

 and various nut-bearing plants. 

 Tannin-producing Plants. 

 The barks of certain trees 

 contain a substance called tannin 

 needed in the manufacture of 

 leather. The most important of 

 these trees are the hemlock, 

 spruce, larch, sumac and the 

 different species of oak. 



Wood-producing Plants. 

 Among the most valuable wood- 

 producing trees are beech, black 

 walnut, Douglas fir, mahog- 

 any, red cedar, rosewood, 

 birch, maple, southern pine and 

 oak. 



Ornamental Plants. 

 Among the trees and shrubs 

 most used for ornamental purposes are the American elm, Aus- 

 trian pine, arbor vitse, birch, Japan quince, lilac, roses of different 

 varieties and spiraea. Barberry and privet are often used for 

 hedges. A great variety of small flowering plants are used to 

 beautify our lawns and gardens. 



Non-Beneficial Plants. Non-beneficial plants include poison- 

 ous plants and weeds. Among the plants listed by the United 



Brown Brothers. 



AN ORNAMENTAL WHITE BIRCH 



